Information on the submission requirements and categories for the Private Eye Writers of America 2019 Shamus Awards for private eye novels and short stories first published in the United States in 2018 will be published in January.

ELIGIBILITYEligible works must feature as a main character a person PAID for investigative work but NOT employed for that work by a unit of government. These include traditionally licensed private investigators; lawyers and reporters who do their own investigations; and others who function as hired private agents. These do NOT include law enforcement officers, other government employees or amateur, uncompensated sleuths.

Independently published books (Indies) may be submitted to the Best Original Paperback PI Novel category.

SUBMISSIONS
Please send one copy of each eligible work to ALL members of the appropriate committee. Do NOT submit a book to more than one committee.

There is no application fee and no submission form; as a simple cover letter will suffice. If you have any questions, please e-mail Gay Toltl Kinman at gaykinman@gaykinman.com BEFORE submitting.

BEST HARDCOVER P.I. NOVELA book-length work of fiction published in hardcover in 2017 that is NOT the author's first published P.I. novel.

BEST FIRST P.I.NOVEL
A book-length work of fiction, in hardcover or paperback, first published in 2017 that is the author's first published novel featuring a private investigator as a main character.

BEST ORIGINAL PAPERBACK P.I. NOVEL:
A book-length work of fiction first published as a paperback original in 2017 that is NOT the author's first P.I. novel; and paperback reprints of previously published novels are NOT eligible.

BEST P.I. SHORT STORY
A work of fiction of 20,000 words or fewer. Stories first published in an earlier year and reprinted in a magazine, anthology or collection in 2017, are NOT eligible.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Please direct all further inquiries to Shamus Awards Chair Gay Toltl Kinman..

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